Senior Assistant Scientist - 33017

Senior Assistant Scientist - 33017
5
South West
Exeter
DEFRA GRP EXETER STARCROSS, EX6 8PE
Staff Grade 3
Permanent
Analytical, Environment & Sustainability, Health and Safety, Investigation, Operational Delivery, Quality, Science
Full Time
£29,751

24/06/2026, 23:55 hours

TSS03 Technical & Scientific Services, Grade 3

Basic Check

Do you want to work for an organisation that values difference and includes everyone? Then the Environment Agency is the organisation for you.

We're fully committed to having an inclusive workforce to reflect the communities we serve. We don’t just talk about diversity; we seek it, embrace it and live it, for the benefit of our staff, our communities and our environment.

We're fully committed to being an inclusive, equal-opportunities employer, with a diverse workforce, attracting applications from under-represented groups, including Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic people, people with a disability, with gender diverse identities and varying socio-economic backgrounds.

The Environment Agency’s Monitoring Laboratories are accredited to ISO/IEC17025 and include 3 sites across the country – Brampton, Leeds and Starcross. This role is based at our Starcross site, which specialises in freshwater, saline and effluent analysis, delivering core analytical work in parallel with investigational/project work for the EA and other government and commercial customers.

The Molecular and Microbiology team is based at the Monitoring Laboratories’ Starcross site. The team delivers core analytical work in parallel with investigational/project work for the Environment Agency and for other government and commercial customers.

In this role, you will:

  • Actively promote health, safety and wellbeing ensuring provision of safe working practices in line with Environment Agency guidance.
  • Support the analytical work of less experienced staff.
  • Play a key role in the training and development of the team and ensuring that work is carried out to defined quality standards.
  • Support senior staff by providing feedback to shape the team’s development.
  • Enjoy working as part of a team to deliver organisational goals.
  • Be comfortable working in a busy lab environment and delivering at pace. 
  • Be prepared to be flexible in your work area to reflect changing priorities within the team.
You will be part of the Microbiology and Molecular Biology team, which comprises approximately 24 staff and is responsible for a wide range of analytical methods that are essential in supporting the Environment Agency’s aims and objectives.

You must:

  • Have some experience of microbiological and/or molecular techniques and be able to demonstrate your ability to work cooperatively with team members to achieve results. 
  • Be an effective communicator, able to provide training and constructive feedback. 
  • Be able to demonstrate the key capabilities as defined in the Job Profile.
  • Be able to demonstrate your commitment to continuous professional development, for example by being, working towards, or willing to work towards becoming a Registered Scientist with the Institute of Science and Technology (or similar).

Our flexible working helps supports a healthy work/life balance, accommodating personal commitments. This role is for a 37-hour week with the following shift pattern options: Monday to Friday, Tuesday to Saturday, Wednesday to Sunday or Sunday to Thursday.

For your application, please refer to the EA-Capability-dictionary and use the Situation-Task-Action-Result (STAR) format to answer the competence questions. More information is in the attached candidate pack.

If you would like to discuss the role further, please contact:

  • Sergio Perez: 07920 372 462 or sergio.perezcordero1@environment-agency.gov.uk
  • Ferne Kelly: 07464 492 617 or ferne.kelly@environment-agency.gov.uk
Communicates Effectively
Listens and questions to understand and engage. Conveys information and ideas clearly, accurately and persuasively through speech and writing.

Question - Describe an occasion when you needed to adapt your communication style to effectively relay complex information. How did you ensure it was understood?
Works in Teams
Works co-operatively as part of a team to achieve common goals.

Question - Provide an example of when you worked in a team to deliver a successful piece of work. What were the key elements that ensured it was successful?
Takes Decisions and Solves Problems
Finds and delivers optimal solutions by effectively analysing all the information, probing to develop alternatives and taking sound and timely decisions.

Question - Describe a time when you faced a difficult situation at work that required critical thinking and decision-making under pressure. What steps/actions did you take to overcome it?
Focuses on Efficiency, Innovation and Quality
Identifies and seizes the opportunity to create, introduce and implement new or improved methods, processes and without, compromising quality or accuracy.

Question - Describe a time when you were part of a team with a workload that changed rapidly, with frequent new projects. How did you help coordinate and implement these changes to ensure they remain aligned with the core operations?
If you are applying from the Civil Service please note that the Environment Agency is not a part of HM Civil Service and you would not be a Crown Servant in the event of being appointed. Therefore, you will not be eligible for continuous service. For applicants who currently work in local government or other bodies listed in the Redundancy Payments (Continuity of Employment in Local Government etc) (Modification) Order 1999, you may be eligible for continuous service for the purpose of calculating any future redundancy payment. If you are unsure of your status then you should contact your own HR Team.

We are fully committed to having a diverse and inclusive workforce to reflect the communities we serve. We welcome flexible working patterns for all our vacancies, including job share, so please include clearly any information regarding your preferred working arrangements on your application.

We also have a Guaranteed Interview Policy to support those with a disability who are seeking employment. We have committed to guaranteeing an interview to anyone with a disability whose application meets the minimum criteria for the post.

The Environment Agency, as a Non-Departmental Public Body, is committed to providing value for money and utilises Central Government frameworks and contracts for all external recruitment needs. For this reason, we are unable to engage with the market directly through post, email or phone calls . Should you wish to become a support supplier on one of these frameworks or contracts please visit https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/become-a-crown-commercial-service-supplier/becoming-a-supplier-through-the-crown-commercial-service-what-you-need-to-know for more information.

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Although the Environment Agency is a non-departmental public body sponsored by Defra, we subscribe to and align with the candidate guidance on the use of artificial intelligence found on the  Civil Service Careers website. Please review for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

This Vacancy is closed to applications.